Iberian Peninsula tectonic rotation

Scientific research has confirmed that the Iberian Peninsula is undergoing a slow clockwise rotation. This movement is driven by the convergence of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates at a rate of approximately four to six millimeters per year.

Studies published in the journal Gondwana Research indicate that the tectonic deformation is not uniform, with the rotation being most pronounced in the western and southwestern regions of the peninsula. While the plate boundary is clearly defined in the Atlantic, the geological structure south of the peninsula is significantly more complex. This complexity is influenced by the Gibraltar Arc, which connects the Betic ranges in southern Spain with the Rif mountains in Morocco.

Historical data suggests the current position of the Iberian block is the result of millions of years of shifts. Following the opening of the North Atlantic, the block separated from the Eurasian continent and shifted roughly 200 kilometers east to its current location.